“We have to know what is happening everywhere in the world at any given time, and we need to help people … have the information they need at the tip of their fingers,” Shell CFO Simon Henry told SAP TV. “The platform that we have is excellent at doing that.”

“Shell has simplified and standardized business processes, focused on refining and marketing activities, through a global SAP upgrade,” Computer Weekly noted last year. “Simplified business models, standardized processes, roles and responsibilities mean staff can now access the same system, with common data, common processes and a uniform basis for reporting.”

More than just a transactional business affiliation, this new partnership is a mutually beneficial relationship aimed at maximizing business value for both parties. An embedded team of SAP experts will work closely with Shell to streamline the company’s IT environment and reduce its total cost of ownership. In addition to SAP Cloud powered by SAP HANA, the partnership will include SAP Predictive Analysis software, SAP Fiori user experience and SAP Screen Personas software.

“The basis of the agreement is getting maximum value for both of our companies,” Shell CIO Alan Matula told SAP TV, adding that the partnership stands on four pillars:

Running SAP systems better

Improving efficiency within the SAP systems

Extending existing functionality — or new functionality as SAP develops it

Innovating together, which improves Shell’s competitive position while helping SAP bring new products to market

“We’re using HANA to solve problems we’ve never solved before,” Matula said. “All of those things provide flexibility; they provide adaptability, agility and ultimately a new way of running our business.”